2015 PRESS/PHOTO INFORMATION
Press Release
RNASA donates $26,030 to Aerospace Education
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
August 28, 2015
Media Contact: Pat Patton, 281-701-2930, patpatton@rnasa.org
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RNASA Foundation Treasurer Geoff Atwater (left) RNASA Foundation President Rodolfo González (center) presenting a check to Stacey Welch - Education Specialist from Texas Aerospace Scholars program - on behalf of the NASA Texas Aerospace Scholars
(RNASA photo, 2015)
President Rodolfo González said, "The RNASA Foundation is very grateful to our generous corporate sponsors who accomplish so much for our nation's space programs. It is very fitting that the proceeds yielded from the 2015 Space Awards Gala be invested in programs that inspire our future engineers and leaders."
The RNASA Foundation hosts a gala awards celebration each year to honor individuals and teams for their accomplishments in aerospace, and presented its top award, the National Space Trophy, to Colonel Robert D. Cabana - Director of the Kennedy Space Center, former NASA astronaut, and retired United States Marine Corp Colonel at the RNASA Space Awards Gala on April 24, 2015 at the Houston Hyatt Regency.
The RNASA Foundation will donate $10,000 of this year's gala proceeds to Col. Cabana's name to his choice of worthy beneficiaries, to which Col. Cabana said "It was a true honor to receive the National Space Trophy, but it is more rewarding to be able to provide a donation to these deserving organizations that are stimulating an interest in the space program and STEM education." Col. Cabana designated $3,000 to the Association of Space Explorers, $3,000 to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, and $4,000 to the Buzz Aldrin ShareSpace.
González told the RNASA directors and guests that the Foundation made an additional donation of $16,030 to the NASA Texas Aerospace Scholars program, which consisted of $6,030 for polo shirts for the 260 participants of the 2015 summer program as well as an additional $10,000 donation toward next year's program. The NASA Texas Aerospace Scholars is implemented through a cooperative agreement between Texas A&M University/Oklahoma State University and the Johnson Space Center.
González and RNASA Foundation Treasurer Geoff Atwater made the presentation to Stacey Welch, Education Specialist from Texas A&M, who gratefully accepted on behalf of the NASA Texas Aerospace Scholars Program. Welch, a former junior math and science teacher, works on High School Aerospace Scholars and In-flight Education Downlinks to engage young minds in opportunities that provide insight into NASA and STEM careers and inspire them to one day join the STEM workforce. Welch says "as an educator, this is the best job there is - opening the door to NASA to the next generation on space explorers."
Welch shared the impact of the program by quoting two students. "This program allowed me to delve into the journey that NASA has been on for a while. I have been able to see what employees are doing and be part of that journey as I work with other innovative minds to create a Mars colony. Although stressful, the work experience under the pressure-of-time allows me to understand what it is like working efficiently with a group of people. HAS was very enjoyable and inspiring as I continue to strive to have a bigger impact on society."
"Collaborating with other students and having real deadlines to our work made it feel like we were actual NASA interns. Also, being able to listen to actual NASA experts was probably one of the best parts of the program. By doing that, I was more informed of NASA projects for the future that I might actually take part in."
The Texas Aerospace Scholars consists of Texas middle-school, high school programs and community college and internships; Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars (WISH), a nationwide program; and The National Community College Aerospace Scholars.
Finally, González announced that $5,000 has been allocated in support of a new scholarship initiative that will be offered to participants of the 2016 Aerospace Scholars program.
González acknowledged special guest, long-time RNASA stellar evaluator, and RNASA's 2005 National Space Trophy winner, Glynn S. Lunney, who was a key figure in America's manned space program from Project Mercury through the coming of the Space Shuttle. Lunney was a flight director during the Gemini and Apollo programs, and was on duty during historic events such as the Apollo 11 lunar ascent and the pivotal hours of the Apollo 13 crisis.
The RNASA Foundation's 30th annual gala will be held at the Houston Hyatt Regency on April 29, 2016. For information on sponsorship opportunities and photos from previous events, please visit www.rnasa.org.
About the RNASA Foundation: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The National Space Trophy and other awards will be presented next year at the RNASA Gala on April 29, 2016. See http://www.rnasa.org for more information.
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Press Release
RNASA Foundation Honors Colonel Robert D. Cabana
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
April 28, 2015
Media Contact: Pat Patton, 281-701-2930, patpatton@rnasa.org
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Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Director of
the Johnson Space Center presents
the National Space Trophy
to Colonel Robert Cabana
(NASA photo, 2015)
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General Thomas P. Stafford
presents the OMEGA
watch to Colonel Robert Cabana
(NASA photo, 2015)
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John Zarrella as Emcee
at the 29th annual RNASA
Space Awards Gala
(NASA photo, 2015)
RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González welcomed the guests to RNASA's 29th annual gala, saying that "RNASA's mission is to encourage, recognize, honor and celebrate U.S. space achievements from across the entire country and across all sectors."
The Clear Lake High School Clear Lake High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors, followed by Kam Franklin, Lead Singer for The Suffers, who sang the National Anthem, and Rev. Stephen Oglesbee, Lead Pastor, Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, gave the invocation.
The RNASA program kicked off with a year-in-review film by Space City Films. John Zarrella, former CCN correspondent covering space for more than thirty-two years, and current CCTV correspondent, served as the emcee of RNASA's 29th annual awards gala.
The Stellar Award winners were announced by NASA Astronaut Colonel Randy "Komrade" Bresnik, USMC, STS-129 and NASA Astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson, Mission Specialist STS-118 and Expedition 23/24 who then presented them with engraved marble trophies donated by Orbital ATK. The Stellar Awards were presented in Early Career, Mid-Career, Late Career, and Team categories.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Director of the Johnson Space Center and former NASA astronaut STS-56, STS-66, STS-96, and STS-110, presented the prestigious 2015 Rotary National Award for Space Achievement to Colonel Cabana, stating that Col. Cabana "...and his team developed the vision of Kennedy as the world's premier multi-user spaceport, and he has worked tirelessly to make that a reality. It has been more than a transition; it is a transformation. Bob and Kennedy Space Center are now enabling the world to explore and work in space.
Colonel Cabana thanked all the stellar award nominees for their hard work and dedication and congratulated all the winners. Cabana said, "I am incredibly honored that the committee thought me worthy to receive the National Space Trophy this year" and he recognized many of the previous national space trophy winners that had a direct impact on his life and shaped his thinking. Cabana stated "at KSC we truly have transitioned to be a multi-user space port of the future, supporting both government and commercial operations, crew and cargo, to and from low Earth orbit and beyond", and closed by saying "I can't think of any place I would rather be than part of this amazing team. Thank you again, and don't stop dreaming!"
There was a filmed message congratulating Cabana from NASA Administrator, Charles F. Bolden, Jr., retired Major General United States Marine Corps (Ret.) and former NASA astronaut, STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, and STS-60 and the winner of the 2014 National Space Trophy. There was also a filmed message congratulating Cabana from Astronaut Scott Kelly, STS-103 Discovery, STS-118 Endeavour, Soyuz TMA-01M (ISS Expedition 25/26), and Soyuz TMA-16M, (ISS Expedition 43), who spoke from the Unity node onboard International Space Station, which was delivered on by Cabana's crew on STS-88, the first ISS assembly mission.
Lt. Gen Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Ret.), Gemini and Apollo astronaut, and the 1993 National Space Trophy winner, presented an OMEGA watch to Cabana.
Lockheed Martin donated the portrait of Cabana by Pat Rawlings, which was on display at the gala and used as the cover of the souvenir program. The portrait will become part of the National Space Trophy display at Space Center Houston for one year.
RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González concluded the evening by thanking the Foundation's corporate sponsors whose support and achievements made the event possible: a.i.solutions, Inc., Aerojet Rocketdyne, The Aerospace Corporation, ARES Corporation, Barrios Technology, Bastion Technologies, Inc., The Boeing Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cimarron, DB Consulting Group, Inc., Draper Laboratory, Dynetics, ERC, Inc., Fisher Space Pens, Fort Sill Apache Industries, GeoControl System, Inc., Honeywell, Jacobs, Lockheed Martin, MEI Technologies, Inc., MRI Technologies, NMR Consulting, Oceaneering International, Inc., OMEGA Watches, Orbital ATK, Raytheon, SAIC, SGT, Inc., Space Foundation, SpaceX, United Continental Holdings Co., University of Houston-Clear Lake, UTC Aerospace Systems, VMD Systems Integrators, and Wyle.
Visit http://www.rnasa.org/photos.html for images from the event.
About RNASA: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The nonprofit Foundation presents the National Space Trophy and Stellar Awards each year.
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Press Release
RNASA's 2015 Stellar Awards Winners Announced
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
April 27, 2015
Media Contact: Pat Patton, 281-701-2930, patpatton@rnasa.org
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(NASA photo, 2015)
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(NASA photo, 2015)
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(NASA photo, 2015)
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(NASA photo, 2015)
Every year, the aerospace community anxiously awaits the announcement of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Stellar Award winners.
The 2015 Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel, Dr. Glynn S. Lunney, Arnold D. Aldrich, General Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.) and Colonel Eileen Collins, USAF (Ret.) selected the winners based on which accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering future activities in space and how well they meet the goal of recognizing "unsung heroes."
Out of 147 nominations received, the Panel selected 23 individuals and ten teams for recognition.
Prior to the evening's festivities, all nominees were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center and a luncheon at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake Hotel. Stellar Awards Committee Chair Jennifer Devolites welcomed the nominees and then said, "You are here because you are excellent." She asked the nominees to consider using their excellence to provide leadership to others, take on mentoring, and to also take risks and get outside of their comfort zones with regard to what they already do well.
RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González then told them that the RNASA Foundation's purpose is to "encourage, recognize, honor, and celebrate U.S. space achievements. We're here to honor you."
González then introduced Scott Rainey, president of the Rotary Club of Space Center who said, "Every Rotarian is an integral part of the process to wipe polio from the face of mother earth. Right now there are only 3 countries that still have Polio: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Rotary's single largest mission is to complete this task by 2018. Rotary has gathered up about $1.2 Billion dollars, and along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other sources, we have teamed to raise about $5 Billion dollars to make this happen".
Mark S. Geyer, Program Manager for NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MCPV) was the featured speaker at the Stellar Awards Luncheon. Orion is NASA's next generation of spacecraft and was built to enable human exploration of the solar system. Geyer gave an overview of Orion's first test flight and how the data from the test is helping us build a better capsule for Exploration Mission 1.
Each nominee received a Fisher Space Pen donated by the company as well as a copy of the book "The Martian" by Andy Weir. The Fisher Space Pen was originally carried by the astronauts of the Apollo moon missions and is still used on manned space flights to this day. They are precision assembled, hand tested, and guaranteed to perform underwater, at any angle including upside down, in extreme temperatures, and of course in zero gravity.
All the Stellar nominees had their photo taken as they received a special commemorative certificate with a United States flag that was flown aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-108, December 5 - 17, 2001.
The Stellar Award winners were announced at the RNASA evening gala on April 24, 2015 by Astronaut and United States Marine Corps Col. Randy "Komrade" Bresnik - STS-129 and Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson - Mission Specialist STS-118 and Expedition 23/24, who then presented them with engraved marble trophies donated by Orbital ATK. The winners in each of the four categories, Early Career, Mid Career, Late Career and Team are:
2015 Stellar Award Winners in the Early Career Category
Jason Grow of Boeing - Exceptional engineering and leadership to successfully achieve full-scale space launch system core stage feedline liquid oxygen test stand design, build and test in 2014.
Esteban Barajas of Aerojet Rocketdye - Exceptional contributions to the space launch system RS-25 engine program.
Nathan Stastny of USAF Air Force Research Laboratory - Exceptional advancements in state-of-the-art automated passive relative navigation for space rendezvous and proximity operations resulting in a unique Air Force capability for space superiority during crucial space situational awareness activities.
Frank Bremer of Lockheed Martin - Technical excellence and extraordinary achievement contributing to the development and qualification of the Orion Crew Module Propulsion System for NASA's historic Exploration Flight Test-1.
Kyle Brewer of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exceptional contributions to real-time operations, implementing quality and efficiency improvements in ISS mechanisms and maintenance operations.
Melinda Dutton of Orbital ATK - Outstanding work ethic and results-driven focus enabling the resolution and implementation of corrective actions for the asbestos-free insulator replacement of the SLS Solid Rocket Booster.
2015 Stellar Award Winners in the Mid-Career Category
Colin Sipe of Lockheed Martin - Outstanding development of cutting-edge composite material for the Orion Spacecraft upper aeroshell subsystem, critical for crew protection on future deep-space missions.
Edmund Taddey of UTC Aerospace Systems - Exceptional technical skill and leadership in engineering to development of systems and components for human space and unmanned space.
Bryan Titus of USAF SAF/AQS - Demonstrated history of excellent performance and leadership in space acquisitions, satellite payload processing, and on-orbit satellite anomaly resolution to ensure continued operation for a variety of satellite systems.
Renee Spinhirne of Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Outstanding technical leadership and successful execution of the integrated test campaign for avionics and system testing for MPCV EFT-1.
Julie Kramer White of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding technical contributions to human space flight as the Orion Multi-purpose crew vehicle Chief Engineer.
Robert Bardwell of the Boeing Company - Outstanding technical excellence in weights and mass properties analysis and control, and innovative propellant management techniques to support shuttle, Ares I upper stage, and space launch system core stage applications.
Mark Ricciardo of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding innovation, technical excellence and support of the RL-10 program in its quest to provide sustainable and affordable propulsion solutions while maintaining its mission success legacy.
Jeffrey Wiemeri of USAF - Outstanding leadership of the Rocket Systems Launch Program Team responsible for developing and building three space missions and one target launch mission.
Ismael Gonzales of Lockheed Martin - Exceptional achievement in the design, development, and test of the state-of-the-art automated vehicle management system for the Orion spacecraft.
Kristi De Grys of Aerojet Rocketdyne - Outstanding contributions in leadership, development, and in the areas of Arcjet and Hall Current Thruster Electric Propulsion for national and international spacecraft.
2015 Stellar Award Winners in the Late Career Category
David Copeland of the Boeing Company - Outstanding leadership in advancing science on-board the International Space Station.
John Jordan of Orbital ATK - Outstanding contributions as Orbital Chief Engineer for the highly successful Landsat-8 Development.
Mark Geyer of NASA Johnson Space Center - Exemplary Leadership in planning and executing Exploration Flight Test 1, the first beyond earth orbit flight in the nation's new Human Space Exploration Program.
Brian Keller of Orbital ATK - Outstanding leadership and technical management as Lead Engineer for Rendezvous/Proximity Operations for Orbital's Cygnus.
George Cain of Lockheed Martin - Exceptional design and development of Liquid Propulsions Systems for NASA's Deep Space Human Exploration Spacecraft achieving significant improvements in affordability and schedule.
Eric Christiansen of NASA Johnson Space Center - Outstanding leadership of the Hypervelocity Impact Technology Group in the protection of crew members and spacecraft from micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
Mark Caron of UTC Aerospace Systems - Exceptional technical skills and engineering leadership in developing systems to enable human space travel on-board ISS, Orion, and Boeing CST-100.
Stellar Award Winners - Team
Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 Industry Team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Successful spaceflight test of NASA's new Orion Spacecraft designed for human exploration of our solar system.
Solar Power for Electric Propulsion Team of NASA Glenn Research Center - Successful development of innovative solar array technology to enable high-power solar electric propulsion for 21st century space exploration.
Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) Pump Module Anomaly Resolution Team of the Boeing Company - Exceptional resolution of a zero fault tolerant failure of the external active thermal control system pump module on the International Space Station.
Orion EFT-1 NASA Management Team of NASA Johnson Space Center - Successful leadership of the Joint Government-Industry Team to accomplish EFT-1 while advancing management innovations and improving affordability.
Orion Hardware Development Team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Innovative development and manufacturing of a new spacecraft design for future deep-space exploration missions.
Advanced Extremely High Frequency Hall Thruster Team of USAF Air Force Research Laboratory - Exceptional resolution of an unexpected performance issue affecting the electronic propulsion systems onboard advanced extremely high frequency satellites.
Falcon 9 Launch Operations Team of SpaceX - Outstanding technical and operational performance leading to a remarkable pace of launch for the Falcon 9 rocket, including four back-to-back launches from July to September 2014.
Spacecube Team of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Successful development of Spacecube Hybrid Data Processing Technology enabling the next generation of advanced space flight applications.
Maven Mission Team of Lockheed Martin - A successful orbital capture and sampling of Mars' upper atmosphere to provide answers to long-standing questions about the red planet.
Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Source Evaluation Board of NASA Kennedy Space Center - Innovative strategies enabling procurement of a safe and reliable U.S. Commercial crew transportation system to transport NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Visit http://www.rnasa.org/photos.html for images from the event. Individual photos of each nominee and winner are available upon request.
The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation's black tie Gala on April 24, 2015, was recorded live, in its entirety, by Space City Films and will air on NASA TV on Tuesday April 28 at noon and 3:00 p.m. CDT and on Wednesday April 29 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. NASA TV is carried by DirecTV, Dish Network, TVRO, several cable providers, and http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ustream/.
About the RNASA Foundation: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The National Space Trophy and other awards were presented this year at the RNASA Gala on April 24, 2015. See http://www.rnasa.org for more information.
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Press Release
Rotary Gala Honors Unsung Heroes of Space
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
March 26, 2015
Media Contact: Pat Patton, 281-701-2930, patpatton@rnasa.org
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Dr. Ellen Ochoa,
Director of NASA
Johnson Space Center,
former NASA astronaut,
2015 NST Presenter
(NASA photo)
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John Zarrella,
former CCN correspondent,
2015 Master of Ceremonies
(NASA photo, 2014)
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NASA Astronaut Randy
"Komrade" Bresnik,
Stellar Awards Presenter
(NASA photo)
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NASA Astronaut
Tracy Caldwell Dyson,
Stellar Awards Presenter
(NASA photo)
When people think of space achievements, they usually think of astronauts or they might picture spacecraft like the Mars Curiosity Rover bravely exploring the unknown, but it is the dedication of the workers on Earth that make the astronaut's historic deeds possible.
To publicly recognize all the "unsung heroes" of the space program alongside the more well-known achievers, the RNASA Foundation was formed by the Space Center Rotary Club in 1985, and presents an American citizen with the National Space Trophy each year.
This year the RNASA Foundation will present the 2015 National Space Trophy, to Colonel Robert D. Cabana, USMC (Ret.), Director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center and former NASA astronaut, STS-41, STS-53, STS-65 and STS-88.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Director of the Johnson Space Center and former NASA astronaut STS-56, STS-66, STS-96, and STS-110, will present the prestigious award to Colonel Cabana. Cabana was nominated by Dr. Ochoa, Michael L. Coats, Former Johnson Space Center Director, Dr. Michael D. Griffin, former NASA Administrator, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Schafer Corporation, Rick Hieb, Vice-President of Lockheed Martin Civil Programs, as well as former CNN correspondent John Zarrella who will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at this year's event. Gemini/Apollo Astronaut Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, USAF (Ret.), will present an OMEGA watch to Cabana at the closing of the program.
The National Space Trophy honoree is selected each year by the RNASA Foundation's Board of Advisors. This board represents a Who's Who of government and corporate aerospace leaders, including former Trophy and Space Communicator Award recipients.
In addition to the National Space Trophy, stellar awards will be presented to people in early career, mid career, late career, and team categories. RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González said, "We received an impressive 147 stellar nominations this year, 51 government and 96 corporate." The nominations came from a.i. solutions, Inc., Aerojet Rocketdyne, ARES Technical Services, The Boeing Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Exelis Inc., GeoControl Systems, Jacobs, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, MEI Technologies Inc., MIT Lincoln Laboratory, MRI, NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Oceaneering Space Systems, Orbital ATK, SAIC, SpaceX, United States Air Force, USAF Air Force Research Laboratory, and UTC Aerospace Systems.
Of all the nominations, only a few Stellar awards are given, and are announced the evening of the banquet. The winners will receive engraved marble trophies generously sponsored by Orbital ATK. The trophies will be presented by NASA Astronaut and United States Marine Corps Colonel Randy "Komrade" Bresnik - STS-129 and NASA Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson - Mission Specialist STS-118 and Expedition 23/24.
The RNASA Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel ranks the nominations received from industry and government in all categories, based on whose accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering activities in space and the extent to which the nominee meets the goal of recognizing "unsung heroes". The 2015 Stellar judges are Dr. Glynn S. Lunney, Arnold D. Aldrich, General Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.) and Colonel Eileen Collins, USAF (Ret.)
The Stellar Award nominees and team representatives will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center and a luncheon where all are recognized with framed certificates and a Fisher Space Pen donated by the company. The Fisher Space Pen was originally carried by the astronauts of the Apollo moon missions and is still used on manned space flights to this day. They are precision assembled, hand tested, and guaranteed to perform underwater, at any angle including upside down, in extreme temperatures, and of course in zero gravity. The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be Mark S. Geyer, Program Manager for NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MCPV). Orion is NASA's next generation of spacecraft and was built to enable human exploration of the solar system.
The Stellar Awards Committee Chairman Jennifer Devolites, RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo González, RNASA Committee NASA Liaison Duane Ross, and Space Center Rotary Club President Scott Rainey will also address the nominees at the Stellar Awards luncheon.
The reception begins at 6 p.m., and the program starts at 7 p.m with a welcome by RNASA Chairman Rodolfo González. Following will be a presentation of the colors by Clear Lake High School Army JROTC, accompanied with the national anthem sung by Kam Franklin, lead singer for The Suffers. Rev. Stephen Oglesbee, Lead Pastor, Clear Lake Presbyterian will do the invocation. After dinner, the awards ceremony will kick off with a multimedia show summarizing the year's space events produced by Space City Films.
The RNASA Foundation invites members of the public and the aerospace community to attend the black-tie event. Individual tickets are $300, and corporate tables range from $2,000 to $5,000. Please use http://www.rnasa.org/tables.html to reserve your table for the RNASA Banquet, and for information about sponsorships and tickets. To reserve a hotel room, please use http://www.rnasa.org/houston.html at the Houston Hyatt Regency.
About RNASA: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The nonprofit Foundation presents the National Space Trophy and Stellar Awards each year.
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Press Release
Colonel Robert D. Cabana - Director of the Kennedy Space Center - to Receive the 2015 National Space Trophy
Rotary National Award for Space Achievement
January 15, 2015
Media Contact: Pat Patton, 281-701-2930, patpatton@rnasa.org
Rodolfo González, President of the RNASA Foundation said, "The Foundation is overwhelmed with the number of nominators that came forward with a submittal for Col. Cabana. We are pleased the board of advisors' selected him, and look forward to honoring him at the 2015 RNASA Space Awards Gala."
Cabana was nominated by Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Center Director, NASA Johnson Space Center, Mr. Michael L. Coats, Former Center Director, NASA Johnson Space Center, and Dr. Michael D. Griffin, former NASA Administrator, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Schafer Corporation "for his exceptional leadership and executive guidance in leading the evolution of the NASA Kennedy Space Center as the world's premier multiuser spaceport in support of NASA's exploration goals." Rick Hieb, Vice-President of Lockheed Martin Civil Programs also nominated Cabana, "for outstanding leadership, commitment, vision and public service benefiting America's security and our Nation's human space exploration program." John Zarrella said, "I have known Bob for decades while I was covering the U.S. Space Program for CNN. During those years it became very evident, very quickly that no one cared more about the successes of the program. No one hurt more over the failures. And no one had greater hope about the future." And Elliot Holokauahi Pulham, Chief Executive Officer of Space Foundation said "I can think of no one more deserving of the 2015 National Space Trophy than Bob Cabana."
Colonel Robert D. Cabana, Director of the Kennedy Space Center and former astronaut said, "I am extremely honored to be receiving the National Space Trophy. The previous awardees are my heroes, and it means so much to me that the board considered me worthy to be among them."
Colonel Cabana is currently serving as the tenth director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the primary United States (U.S.) launch site that has been used for every NASA human space flight since 1968. In this role, Colonel Cabana manages all NASA facilities and activities at Kennedy Space Center, leading a team of dedicated civil service and contractor personnel who operate and support numerous space programs and projects. He has been instrumental in ensuring the successful transition from the Space Shuttle and establishing KSC as a true multiuser spaceport of the future.
Colonel Cabana was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2008. He is the recipient of The Daughters of the American Revolution Award for the top Marine to complete naval flight training in 1976, is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, and has logged over 7,000 hours in 50 different kinds of aircraft.
Cabana is a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, an Associate Fellow in the AIAA, and he has received numerous awards and decorations, including the De La Vaulx medal by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in 1994, the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award, and most recently he was honored with the National Space Club 2013 Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, two NASA Medals for Outstanding Leadership, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and four NASA Space Flight Medals.
A veteran of four space flights, Cabana has logged over 910 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-41 (October 6-10, 1990) and STS-53 (December 2-9, 1992), and was mission commander on STS-65 (July 8-23, 1994) and STS-88 (December 4-15, 1998), the first ISS assembly mission.
The RNASA Foundation invites members of the public and the aerospace community to attend the black-tie event on April 24, 2015 at the Houston Hyatt Regency where Colonel Robert D. Cabana will be recognized with the National Space Trophy. This year will be RNASA's 29th annual National Space Trophy Banquet. Please use http://www.rnasa.org/tables.html to reserve your table for the RNASA Banquet, and for information about sponsorships and tickets. To reserve a hotel room, please use http://www.rnasa.org/houston.html at the Houston Hyatt Regency. The telephone number is 713-654-1234, ask for Reservations, and request the RNASA group rate. The RNASA website is http://www.rnasa.org/.
About RNASA: The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club of Houston, Texas in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration. The nonprofit Foundation presents the National Space Trophy and Stellar Awards each year.
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